JPS6013960B2 - Crane with removable superstructure - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to joining an assembly for joining a crane superstructure to a corresponding transport device.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a releasable attachment clamp for joining a crane superstructure and a conveying device. In the past, the most common and versatile method of attaching a crane superstructure and the turntable on which the superstructure rotates to a motor-driven transporter was to attach the turntable directly to the deck of the transporter. It was to be bolted down.

Problems arose during transportation and when using large cranes with large external dimensions and weights exceeding 45,360 k9. One such problem concerned the time and effort required in removing the crane superstructure from the transport device. The enforcement of road use laws in each state has resulted in limits on the size and weight of vehicles that can legally be driven on state roads.

Given the large size and weight associated with large motor driven cranes, such cranes are now often partially disassembled into several parts and transported independently to the work site. Typically, a crane is disassembled into several parts, such as an upper assembly consisting of the crane superstructure, and a lower assembly consisting of the transport equipment. If the superstructure turntable were to be mounted on the carrier deck according to the commonly used method, as many as 50 separate bolts would be required. Needless to say, only the assembly and disassembly of parts of the transport device and superstructure required a considerable loss of time each time assembly or disassembly had to be performed. Additionally, because the crane is not active during assembly, lost production time adds expense on top of the costs naturally associated with having workers assemble the crane using 50 or more bolts. One attempt to reduce the time and expense associated with crane assembly and disassembly operations is to provide a multi-section adjustable platform in which a plurality of downwardly extending ridges on the crane's turntable align with slots in the carrier. This included the use of a canopy and fusuma system that had to be locked to the stereotactic layer by the camera.

While such systems may have provided some time savings, they are believed to have produced practical disadvantages, requiring large expenditures of time and effort to quickly assemble superstructures and conveying equipment. There remained a need for truly practical devices that could be disassembled and assembled. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a releasable connector assembly that facilitates rapid assembly and disassembly of a crane superstructure and associated conveying equipment includes a fan clamp having a groove that receives a pair of matching flanges. Contains a ring.

One matching flange is mated to the superstructure and the second
A matching flange is mounted on the deck of the carrier.

The clamp ring, together with the alignment flange, reduces the number of parts that must be manipulated for assembly or disassembly of the crane. The fan-shaped clamp ring preferably includes a first arcuate portion to which a pair of arcuate portions are pivotally connected.

The arcuate portion allows the clamp ring to be opened such that a radial gap is defined between the clamp ring and the alignment flange. This radial gap receives the matching flange of the superstructure and facilitates removal of the flange from the connector assembly. To improve the connection between the superstructure and the conveying device, the alignment flange is provided with a frustoconical surface and is tapered.
In the same machine, the groove of the clamp ring is provided with a truncated conical surface so that the cross-sectional shape of the matching flange and the cross-sectional shape of the groove generally match, and the groove is also tapered. The tapered flange surface and tapered groove cause the connector assembly to act as a cam to tension and securely seat the mating flange. If this hinge function is particularly desired, the clamp ring can be provided with suitable tensioning means for creating a tension force in its circumferential direction.

This pulling force has the effect of tightening the clamp ring around the alignment flanges to exert a greater force to pull the alignment flanges together. When the present invention is used with large cranes, the size and weight of the clamp ring becomes important. Accordingly, suitable power actuating means can be provided for manipulating and articulating the parts of the clamp ring relative to each other and for moving the clamp ring itself relative to the alignment flange. In this way, the time and number of personnel required to prepare the crane for disassembly or to complete the crane assembly is substantially reduced. In addition to saving time, the use of power actuated means allows uniform clamping forces to be achieved on the matching flanges by eliminating dependence on operator skill, specialized personnel, etc. Upon positioning the superstructure on the carrier, it is now necessary to align and center both alignment flanges with respect to each other.

To facilitate such alignment operations, the alignment flanges can be provided with suitable active or passive centering means. This centering means ensures that the alignment flange is properly positioned to receive the clamp ring, thus eliminating the cost of physically lifting and repositioning the superstructure with respect to the conveying device. Ensures that time-consuming repetitive processes are eliminated. ，
As previously mentioned, for large cranes the clamp ring can also be extremely large and heavy.

It is desirable to provide suitable support means to maintain the proper spatial relationship between the clamp ring, carrier deck, and alignment flange when the clamp ring is moved from the alignment flange. Suitable support means are carried directly by the clamp ring and are swingably engageable with the carrier deck. Furthermore, this support means is advantageously used to provide a general radial alignment between the alignment flange and the groove of the clamp ring. The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a rubber tire transport device 2 having a deck 24.
A large motor-driven crane 20 is shown including 2 with a rotatably mounted crane superstructure 26 fixed onto the deck 24.

Typically, turntable 28 may include a large diameter ball bearing assembly or the like. The crane 20' is typically provided with an engagement tool such as a hook for engaging a load such as a weight W.

The crane 2 also includes means such as a boom 27 operably connecting an engagement tool to the superstructure 26.
One end of boom 27 is pivoted to superstructure 26 for controlled movement in a generally vertical plane. The hook portion can be supported at the other end of the overhang twill 27 and is supported by suitable hoisting means such as a pulley system T. If it is desired to disassemble a large motor-driven crane 20, for example for long-distance transport, the crane can be assembled into assembly parts such as the transporter 22, superstructure 26, boom 27 and counterweight 29. Separated.

The transport device 22 weighs more than 31752k9. Similarly, the superstructure 26 weighs over 13,600k9.
In accordance with the present invention, the crane superstructure 26 includes a fan-shaped mounting clamp 30', generally designated by part number 301.
The turntable 28 is thus releasably connected to the transport device 22 and forms part of the superstructure 26.

Referring to FIG. 2, releasable mounting clamp 30 includes fan-shaped clamp ring means 31. Referring to FIG.

As shown in the figure, this fan-shaped clamp IJ ring 31
can include a horizontal generally arcuate pivot member or portion 32 and generally arcuate portions 34,36. The generally arcuate portions 32, 34, 36 have approximately the same length and substantially surround the circumference of the generally circular mounting support 78 (see FIG. 3). Alternatively, said arched portions can have unequal lengths. The first arched portion 32 is provided with a pair of laterally outwardly projecting arms 42 at each end thereof. Each pair of arms 42 has a suitable pivot pin 44. At one end of the second arcuate section 34 there is provided a pair of arms 38 having laterally outwardly projecting extensions 39 and further pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 44 at one end of the first arcuate section 32 . ing.

The same machine includes a pair of arms 40 having an extension portion 41 projecting laterally outward at one end of the third arched portion 36 and further mounted on a pivot 44 at the other end of the first arched portion 32. is being feared. A suitable articulating means is the first
a portion 34 pivoted about an arched portion 32 of the
36 is provided for rotation. The articulating means may for example consist of a pair of hydraulic cylinders 46, 48 positioned such that one hydraulic cylinder is disposed at each end of the first arcuate portion 32. I can do it. Each hydraulic cylinder 46, 48 has a first
It has one end pivotally attached to a corresponding bracket 49 attached to the arched portion 32 of. The other end of each hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected to a corresponding extension 39,41 on each arm 38,40. Hydraulic cylinders 46, 4 are used during the assembly and disassembly of the superstructure and the transport device.
8 is the arched portion 34 relating to the first arched portion 34;
, 36 drive movements. Suitable positioning means 50 may be provided to move the entire blind clamp ring 31 with respect to the deck 24 and alignment flange of the carrier. Typically, the positioning means 50' is a conventionally known hydraulic cylinder 52 having one end pinned at a position generally intermediate between the ends of the first arcuate portion 32, thus Bending moments to the hydraulic cylinder due to misalignment between section 32 and circular mounting support 78 are minimized. A second end of the hydraulic cylinder 52 suitably joins a laterally disposed and vertically upright plate 53. Plate 53 also serves to limit the distance that fan-shaped clamp ring 31 can be retracted from circular mounting support 78 (see FIG. 2). Particularly when dealing with large cranes, the dimensions and weight of the fan clamp ring 31 are such that suitable support means must be provided to facilitate movement and positioning of the ring.

For example, each of the arched portions 32, 347 36 weighs approximately 363k9. The first arcuate section 32 may therefore be provided with suitable rollers for rockingly supporting the first arcuate section 32 with respect to the deck 24 of the conveying device. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first arched section 32 is supported by four laterally spaced rollers 5, each of which
is mounted on a generally horizontal axis below. Each of the second and third arcuate sections 34, 36 is provided with a mounting bracket 56 adjacent its free end spaced from the associated pivot pin 44 (see FIG. 3). Each placket 56 supports a caster, which is capable of rolling movement about a horizontal axis, which is also capable of movement about a vertical axis.
The respective arched portions 34 and 36 are pivoted around the pivot pin 44 and are further supported during the reciprocating movement of the clamp ring 31 by the hydraulic cylinder 52. being done. Fourth
It is noted from the figures that suitable roller guide means 60 can be installed on the deck 241 of the transport device.

Roller guide means 60G may include a pair of rollers slightly spaced from each side of roller 54 to ensure that the arched portion is laterally stabilized during movement toward and away from the closed position. It can be constructed from parallel members. Preferably, a loaf guiding means 601 is provided on the roller 54 adjacent to the hydraulic sill 52.
Attachment means 6 in which the deck 24 of the conveying device is carried by an extremely rigid hollow section in the vicinity of the frame member 61 and the hydraulic sill 52 of the conveying device
2 includes a generally radial protrusion and is supported by a mounting member 63 including a generally radial protrusion.

These generally radial projections are joined by a fan-shaped clamp ring 31 such that the attachment means 62 is fixed to the attachment means 63. As mentioned above, the crane superstructure preferably carries the turntable 28 when it is removed from the carrier deck 24. The attachment means 62 therefore extend downwardly from the turntable 28. Typically, the turntable 28 may include a sheath 64 to which the superstructure is joined. The inner race 66 is rotatably supported with respect to the inner race 66 by suitable ball bearings.The inner edge of the inner race 66 has a suitable bearing engageable with a pinion (not shown) carried and driven by the superstructure. Na Gya 6
8 can be installed. The engagement of the pinion with the gear 68 of the inner race 66 functions to drive and rotate the superstructure relative to the inner race 66 and attachment means 62. Attachment means 62
includes a cylindrical protrusion 70 depending downwardly from the inner race 66 of the turntable 28.

At the lowest end of the cylindrical projection 70, a projection or upper matching flange 72 is installed which projects outward in the radial direction. The upper alignment flange 72 has a substantially radial alignment surface 74 at its lowermost end and also has a tapered cross section. Upper frustoconical surface? 6 is provided to define a generally tapered cross-section with matching surface 74. From deck 24 of the transport device, deck 2 of the transport device is transferred in a known manner.
Extending upwardly is a mounting means including a circular mounting support 78 suitably secured to 4.

The circular support 78 has a generally radial projection or lower alignment flange 82 having a generally radial alignment surface 80.
, and the alignment surface T4 of the upper alignment flange 72 is supported on the surface 80. The lower matching flange 82 also has a tapered cross section and a frustoconically shaped lower surface 8 to further define an aerectically tapered matching flange.
4. With further reference to FIG. 5, each arcuate portion of the sector clamp ring 30 has a C-shaped cross-section and is further adapted to receive respective adjacent matching flanges of the superstructure and carrier. It includes a groove 86.

Groove 86 has frustoconical upper and lower surfaces to form a doubly tapered groove. Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of groove 86 is similar to that of adjacent matching flange 72,82.
are matched in cross-sectional shape, thereby providing a camming or bare action when the fan-shaped clamp ring 31 is fitted around the matching flange 72.82. Of course, it is desirable to completely secure the attachment means 62 to the attachment means 63 and to provide a cam or butterfly action to eliminate any relative movement that may occur between the attachment means and the attachment means. The desirability of preventing relative movement is such that the force induced by the engagement of the gear 68 of the inner race 66 and the pinion carried on the superstructure to rotate the superstructure with respect to the conveying device This results from the fact that the inner race 66 of the The force induced by the pinion will tend to rotate the attachment means 62 if it is not rigidly articulated with the attachment means 63. In order to further improve the action of the sliding door, the fan-shaped clamping ring 31 may be equipped with suitable tensioning means for generating a circumferential force.

This tensioning means cooperates with the small space provided between the adjacent ends of the arcuate sections 32, 34, 36 to move them radially inwardly, thus causing the doubling of the fan-shaped clamping ring 31. The tapered groove 86 moves onto the tapered matching flanges 72, 82;
This prevents relative movement from occurring.
Very tightly engages the matching flanges 72, 82 to secure them. Suitable tensioning means for the fan-shaped clamp ring may be conventional bolts (see FIG. 5) for securing the ends of the arched portions 34, 36 together. Referring again to FIG. 2, the respective free or unpivoted ends 89, 90' of the second and third arcuate portions 34, 36 are fitted with suitable brackets for receiving the tension bolts 88. 91 and 92 are installed.

The arched portions 32, 34, 36 are pivoted, except for the free ends 89, 90, which are joined by bolts 88, so that when the bolts 88 secure the free ends 89, 90 together, the fan-shaped There will soon be no need to maintain the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic cylinders 46, 48, 52 that articulate and move the clamp ring 31.

It should be noted that, compared to previously known solutions, only one bolt is required here to assemble the superstructure to the transport device. Therefore, considerable time and cost savings occur in mounting clamp assembly. Given the size and weight of the crane superstructure, it is desirable to provide suitable centering means 93 (see FIG. 6) for coaxially aligning adjacent alignment flanges 72, 82.

The centering means 93 is carried directly by one alignment portion, such as the attachment means 63, such that a portion of the centering means projects vertically upwardly above the alignment surface 80 of the attachment means 63 and is attached to the superstructure. the attachment means carried by the other alignment portion. In one embodiment, the centering means 93 comprises a plurality of guide villages 94 welded to the inner edge of the circular mounting support 78, with a portion of each guide member projecting above the alignment surface 80. .

The upwardly projecting portion of the matching surface 80 includes an inclined surface 9 that slopes radially outwardly above the inner edge of the lower matching flange.
6 are provided. As illustrated in Figure 3,
The plurality of guide members 94 are preferably equiangularly spaced around the inner edge of mounting support 78 . Referring to Figure 7,
The function of the guide member during joining of the crane superstructure to the transport device is more easily understood. When the superstructure carrying the attachment means 62 is lowered into proximity to the mounting support 78, the inner end of the upper alignment flange 72 is brought into contact with the guide village 94.
The upper alignment flange 72 is positioned coaxially and in the same direction with respect to the lower alignment flange 82 by engaging the inclined surface 96 of the upper alignment flange 72 with respect to the lower alignment flange 82. The centering means 93 shown in FIG. 7 is generally a passive centering means such that it is stationary and no movement relative to the lower alignment flange 82 is possible. However, active or drive centering means 93 for properly positioning the crane superstructure with respect to the mounting support 78
It is also possible to install For example, with reference to FIG. 8, the curved and pivoted finger 9 in the operative position with respect to the deck 24, the attachment means 63, and the attachment means 62.
8 is shown. Each finger 98 is pivotally connected by a suitable pin 100 to a bracket 102 carried below deck 24 of the carrier. finger 98
includes an arm 104 actuatable by conventional means such as a hydraulic cylinder 106. A portion of the curved finger 98 projects upwardly above the alignment surface 80 of the attachment means 63. This further embodiment of the centering means 93 (
8), three of the four hydraulically actuated fingers 98 are preferably equiangularly disposed about the inner edge of the mounting support 78.

When the attachment means 62 carried by the crane superstructure rests on the mounting support 78, the fingers 98
is selectively operable to position the attachment means 62 in the same D-circular direction and coaxially with respect to the attachment means 63. Each finger 98 rotates around pin 100 between the positions illustrated in FIG. 8 to effect alignment. As used herein, crane is intended to encompass any motor-driven load handling equipment such as excavators, hoists, pill or road construction equipment, and the like. It is something. The operating order is as follows.

That is, when the superstructure is lowered to the orientational calendar on the mounting support 78, the centering means 93 (see FIG. 7) aligns the attachment means 62.
and the mounting means 63 are positioned in the same 0-circle direction and in the same axial direction. Once the alignment flanges 72, 82 are properly aligned with respect to each other, the hydraulic cylinder 52 (see FIG. 2) transfers the fan-shaped clamp ring 31 toward the alignment flanges 72, 82 to move the alignment flanges 72, 82 into the first arched portion 32 of
is received within the tapered groove 86 of the holder and clamped circumferentially. Groove 86 in first arcuate portion 32 aligns with alignment flange 72
, 82, the hydraulic cylinders 46,4
8 around the pivot pin 44 until the grooves 86 of each of the second and third arcuate sections 34, 36 securely engage the alignment flanges 72, 82. It operates to pin 34 and 36.

Here, the fan-shaped clamp ring 31 is positioned circumferentially around substantially the entire circumference of adjacent alignment flanges 72, 82 as shown in FIG. The fan-shaped clamp ring 31 is then attached to the second and third arched portions 34.
, 36 by inserting and tightening a bolt 88 joining the free ends 89, 90 of the bolts. As previously discussed, this tension creates a circumferential force on the fan-like crumbling ring 31, causing said arcuate portion to tighten adjacent alignment flanges 72,
Attach the butterfly on 82. To dismantle the crane superstructure and carrier, the fan clamp rings are uncoupled from adjacent alignment flanges 72,82.

In the disassembly process, the bolt 88 is first removed to allow relative movement between the free ends 89, 90 of the second and third arcuate sections 34, 36. Then, the arched portion 34
, 36 are pivoted about the pivot pin 44 by hydraulic cylinders 46, 48 such that the corresponding portions of the alignment flanges 72, 82 are released in a nail pull-like motion. When the arched portions 34, 36 are opened, the entire fan-shaped clamp ring 31 is attached to the arched portion 3.
2 is retracted so that it is released from the alignment flanges 72,82.

Thus, when the fan-shaped clamping ring 31 is moved, the crane superstructure can be lifted upwardly from the carrier so that it is transported independently of the carrier.
It is thus clear that in accordance with the invention there is provided a mounting clamp that substantially simplifies and facilitates the connection between a crane superstructure and a crane carrier.

Although the present invention has been described above based on its preferred embodiments, it goes without saying that further improvements and modifications can be made in accordance with the present invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a partial elevational view of the crane of the invention; FIG. 2 is a transport of the invention showing the clamping ring in the open and retracted position with the superstructure removed for further clarity; FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of the device; FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of the carrying bag layer with the clamp ring in the closed position and the superstructure removed for clarity; FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 with the superstructure added and taken along line 5-5, and FIG. 3 with the addition of the superstructure, taken in partial section along line 6-6; FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6, but with the superstructure carried to show one embodiment of the centering means. 8 is a partial sectional view taken away from the apparatus; FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 7 but illustrating an alternative embodiment of the centering means; FIG. 20... Crane, 22... Transport device, 2
4...Deck, 26...Superstructure, 27.
...Boom, 28...Turntable,
29... Counterweight, 30... Fan-shaped mounting clamp, 31... Fan-shaped clamp ring, 32, 34
, 36... arched portion, 38, 40, 42, 104...
...Arm, 39, 41...Extension part, 44...
... Pivot pin, 46, 48, 52, 106...
Hydraulic cylinder, 49, 56, 91, 92, 102...bracket, 50...position setting means, 53...plate, 54...roller, 58...leg Car, 60... Roller guide means, 61... Frame member, 62... Adhesion means, 64, 66... Race, 68... Gear, 70... Cylindrical projection, 72, 82.・
... Matching flange, 74, 76, 80, 84 ... Surface, 78 ... Mounting support, 86 ... Groove, 88.
...Bolt, 89,90...Free end, 9
3... Centering means, 94... Guide member, 9
6...Full slope, 98...Finger, 1
00...Pin, T...Pulley device, Japan/
...Hook, W... Weight. FIG. l FIG5 FIG6 FiG2 FiG,3 fl07 riGQ

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A large self-propelled crane having a transport device supporting a rotatable superstructure, a boom attached to the superstructure and carrying a hook member, and means for raising and lowering the hook member. When it is desired to hold the superstructure firmly in place during operation and also to move the crane from one location to another,
In the crane having improved means for removably securing the rotatable superstructure to the carrier to enable convenient removal of the superstructure from the carrier, Improvement means are carried on the conveying device to support the rotatable superstructure and further include a generally radial first
an attachment means having a second generally radial protrusion disposed on the bottom of the rotatable superstructure and supported by the attachment means; and a first generally radial protrusion. and a sector-shaped clamping means for engaging the second generally radial protrusion and securing the attachment means and the attachment means, the sector-shaped clamping means having two ends;
a first arched portion having grooves for receiving the first and second protrusions; and a first arched portion having grooves for receiving the first and second protrusions; a second arched portion pivotally connected to one end and having a groove for receiving the first and second projections and pivotally connected to the other end of the first arched portion; a third arched portion; further articulating means for moving the second and third arched portions with respect to the first arched portion; The above-mentioned crane is characterized in that it is equipped with position setting means for moving the arched portion.